At the level of election politics Democrats and Republicans have been so effective at creating protected election boundaries that very few candidates from the left or right must listen to the other side or even recognize the middle ground on the way to elected office. Between Internet blogs,cable television and what was called "narrowcasting" people can choose new sources based on which source is most likely to tell the listener that the listener is right about everything. The traditional purpose of the Free Press is to keep the public informed. In more recent generations the obvious purpose has been to keep the ownership of the press in income. The advent of news blogs and news broadcasts that deliberately disdain claims of unbiased reporting; ensure that the readership or listener-ship or viewership, need never be confronted with information that challenges a person's preexisting prejudices.
Money Well Spent? is a legitimate effort by author Michael Grabell to report on and analyze the trillion dollar stimulus plan and let the trillion chips fall where they may. Along the way he does his best to give names, faces, and places a sympathetic hearing. Grabell finds the facts that make lie of some of the more infamous misinformation generated on the political right and is just as ready to declare scandal where White House investments (Solyndra) were pursued beyond reasonable hope for a positive outcome.
In this respect Grabell adheres to the independent reputation of ProPublica, where he is employed as a reporter. If nothing else this book is a case in point that investigative journalism need not be biased.
In writing that last sentence, I am obligated to mention my sense that the author tends to work harder when trying to make a case against the Obama administration and that it is more natural for the author to find a case against the political right. That is, I suspect Grabell leans to the left.
Alternately an objective analysis of the results of the stimulus package should lean to the left. The number of jobs created by the stimulus package was so far from the original White House claims that the White House did have to change its method of reporting. Even so Grabell makes it clear that substantial numbers of people became employed and/ or stayed employed because the federal government stepped in to keep the economy moving after an earlier White House failed to act to avoid that collapse.
The technique of following individuals and the communities they lived in lends legitimate drama and readability to this book. This is an appropriate journalistic technique, It is not new with Grabell and is also common in political speeches. I would've preferred more tabular analysis that would have allowed for more objective accounting of stimulus wins and losses.
This is one of those books you should have read before the election. It is a book you should read if you are going to document your opinions on government engagement in the marketplace. All I ask is if you do choose to read Money Well Spent?; try to turn off the echo chamber that is political opinion and reporting in the age of narrowcast journalism.
Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
| Price | New from | Used from |
|
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| $7.95 with discounted Audible membership | |
|
Audio CD, Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" | $18.67 | $4.89 |
- Read with Our Free App
-
Audiobook
$0.00 - 16 Used from $0.97 11 New from $18.99 1 Collectible from $6.25
- 3 Used from $4.89 2 New from $18.67
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
